Signal-horn.



J. C. CUULOMBE.

SIGNAL HORN.

APPLICATION FILI-:D APR.I9I19I5.

l ,301 106, Y Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

` 4 2 SHEETS- SHEET I.

@M6/Ww@ J. C. COULUMBE.

SIGNAL HORN. APPLICATION FILED AFR. 19, 15H5.

l 3() l 1 OG l Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

2 SHEETS- SHEET 2.

UNTE SAES JOSEPH C. COULOM'BE, 0F LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

sIeNAIrHoBN.

Specicationof Letters Patent.

- Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

Application led April 19, 1915. Serial No. 22,241. Y

phragm type.

In my present invention the vsound 'producing elements are slidably mounted on a rotor and are forcibly projected beyond the circumference of the rotor by the centrifugal force developed when -the rotor is revolved and progressively contact and impart vibrations to a diaphragm. The sound producing elements of my invention are capable of use in either the electrical or the so called mechanical horns, but for the pur- 'poses ,of this application, I shall show and particularly discuss my invention in its embodiment in a mechanically operable structure.

The present invention contemplates certain improvements lin the sound producing elements themselves and in the drive for the rotor so as to secure a positive and speedy response of the impact elements upon an actuation of the rotor revolving device. I also provide for using more than one diaphragm if desired and for using diaphragms of varyin diameter and thickness. These and ot er features which will appear morefully hereinafter are secured in the present invention.

The construction and operation of my signal will be more fully disclosed in the specification which follows. In the drawings forming a part of that specification I have shown as illustrative embodiments, several forms of signal which have proven efficient and satisfactory in use. Throughout specification and drawings likeV reference numerals are correspondingly applied, and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partially in section of a signal.' in accordance with my invention.

Fi 2 is a partial section of one of the clutc elements of my signal, on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3. Y ,l

Fig. 3 is a plan section thereof.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of a part more' fully descrlbed hereinafter.

F 5 is a plan' view of the rotor withY parts broken away.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modification showing two diaphragms.

Fig. 7 isjan elevation partly in section von the line 7---7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a section showmg diaphragms ofl different thickness, and,

Fig. 9 is a partial section similar to Fig. 8 but showing a diaphragm of llarger d1- ameter.

I have indicated vat 1 a standard adapted to be attached to an automobile or otherve'- hicle so as to bring the actuating member of the signal in conveniently operable relation to the drivers seat. The standard is formed in two similar sections welded or otherwise f secured to each other.` Each sectionY is pressed out laterally as indicated at 11 to define when the sections areunited a hollow casing inV which a bushing 2 is rigidly mounted. Each section of the standard terminates at its upper end in an oppositely extended flange 21 upon which is mounted a hollow head or casing 3 in which the sound producing elements and rotor of the signal are located.

The casing 3 is formed as a suitably shaped shell closed'at its rear end and open at its front end. At its frontend the casing is formed with an upwardly extending flange 31 terminating in a laterally disposed circumferential rim 4. Thel rim 4 incloses the inner flanged end 5 of an outwardly fiaring trumpet or horn 6. The flange 5 seats al vibratory disk or diaphragm 7 flatly Y against the flange 31 in complete sealing relation to the front open end of the casing. The diaphragm is clampedy between the flanges 31 and 5 by suitable fastenings 8 and is spaced from said flanges by washers 9.

Set centrally of the diaphragm isY ac oni tact member in the form of a stud 10 having its inner end beveledin opposite directions as shown and disposed in theoperative path of aperipheral seriesof centrifugally acting impact elements or hammers 12 slidably mounted on a suitable rotor element.

The rotor element is in the form of three disks 13, 131 and 14 pinned together to rotate in unison.

The intermediate disk 131.

and the top disk 14 are spaced by a washer` l5. The bottom disk 13 has a pair of suiti 'ably bent yokes 16 secured to its under face yand engaging a groovevv17 near the upper end of the bushing 2 whereby to support and guide the rotor. The intermediate disk 131 is peripherally slotted at regular intervals to provide a circumferential series of spaced lugs 18 projecting radially in the planev of the disk and the metal between the lugs 18- is bent up' to provide lugs 19 disposed at substantially right angles -to the disk.

i. at each lateral edge in Van abrupt shoulder 20. Beyond the shoulders 20 the hammers are reduced and extendv as rounded heads 21 adapted to progressively contact the beveled inner end of the stud 10 with a radially yielding contact whenthe'rotor is revolved."

The hammers are thrown radially outward by the centrifugal force developed 'when the rotor is revolved. Each hammer slides between'a pair of the vertical lugs 19 of the disk 131 out along and beyondthe edge of' the horizontal lug 18 between said vertical lugs until stopped by its shoulders 20 contacting the vertical lugs.

The rotor is revolved by positively connecting it with a suitable source of power.

For eii'ecting this the rotor preferably Vhas n' a clutch member adapted to be positively engaged by the complementary clutch member of a rotatable element whereby to revolve the rotor. VThe rotor clutch member may con- -veniently be a ratchet 22 Xed to the top disk 14 of the rotor and adapted to be engaged by an oppositely faced ratchet 23 spun in or otherwise secured to a rotatable and downwardly movable ratchet nut 24.

In the present illustrative embodiment the means for rotating the ratchet nut 24 is a hand operated plungerv 25 vertically reciprocable in a bushing 26 set in the top plunger 25 lis guided between its ends in a bearing 141 secured to the rotor and has an operating knob 27 at its upper end disposed in convenient reach of the driver. ciprocatorymmotion of the plunger is transformed into rotary motion whereby torevolve the ratchet nut and thus the rotor by any suitable motion converting means. In this embodiment, a'spiral groove`28 is eut l in the plunger from end to end thereoiI and the ratchet nut has two intersecting threads 29 adapted to engage in said groove. The pitch of the threads 29 correspondsto the pitch of the groove 28. Y

The downward movement of the plunger is resisted by a' headedstop pin 30 having a The re- Y 'coil spring 31 thereabout and located in the kbushing 2.V The spring returns the plunger to raised position after each actuation. The return movement of the plunger is stopped by the upper face of the ratchet nut contacting `the bushing 26. The plunger yis. prevented from moving out of the ratchet nut on itsreturn by a screw 251 set in said plunger and contacting the threads 29 ot the ratchet nut 24.

In use, a downward push on'thek knob 25 carries the plunger downwardly against the spring 31 and moves the clutch member`23 carried by the ratchetnut 24 into engage-- ment with the fixed 'clutch member 22 'on' Y v I vv 80 The downward reciprocation of the plunthe rotor element.

ger through its groove engaging thev threads of the ratchet nut causes said nutto revolve Y and the nut through the engagement otits" ratchet piece 23 with the'ratchetfi22 on the disk 14 revolves the motor. Thecentrifugalf force developed bythe rapidly revolvin'g'rotor causes the impact elements 12 .thereon to be projected radially outward beyond vthe periphery of 'the rotor andl progressively strike the contact stud 10 of the diaphragm. The hammers are positively guided'by the lugs 18 and 19 in Athis movement.

In the modified form of my invention shown in Figs. `5, 6, 7 and 8, two diaphragins 32 are so arranged relative to the rotor'as to be vibratedby the impact elements whenv The shell 3 in this the rotor is revolved. embodiment is formed at both ends with an annular flange 33 between which and the similar flanges 34 of suitable closures 35 the ytwo diaphragms 32 are secured lby the same fastenings 36 which connectthe flanges 33 and 34. In this form of my invention the horn Gfis carried into one of the lateral walls ofi the shell.'` If desired .one diaf phra'gm may beef greater thickness than the other as shown in Fig. 8 or ofgreater diameter,"as shown in Fig. 9, whereby to,

l vary the sound. wall of the shell 3 and guided in the ybushing 2 in the opposite Wall of the shell. The

Various other modiicationsfin the form and construction of my device may ob- Vviously be made within the limits ofthe appended claims. l

What I vtherefore claim and desire to secure'byLetters Patent is 1. In a warning signal having'fa fdiaphragm'and having a-plurality of slidable 4 hammers for flexingV said diaphragm, a rol.

tatable member upon which said hammers slide havingy a 1:')eripheral-seriesV oi spaced Y upturned lugs between which the hammers 'slide, each lug ofra lengthto limit the .out-

wardsliding movement oi' a pairfof adj aoent hammers.

2. In a warning signal having' andiaphragm` and havinga plurality of slidable hammers for flexing said diaphragm, arotatable disk upon which said hammers slide and having an annular series of spaced upturned lugs between which the hammers slide, each lug of a length to limit the outward sliding movement of a pair of adjacent hammers.

3. In a warning signal, a casing having openings of dierent diameter at its ends, suitable closures for said openings, a pair or' diaphragms of dierent diameters, each seated by a closure over its respective opening, said casing constituting a sound chamber common to both diaphragms, and having' a sound outlet entering said casing laterally thereof and disposed between said diaphragms, a rotor arranged in said casing, and an impact element carried by said rotor and adapted to vibrate said diaphragms.

4. In a warning signal, a casing open at each end and having an annular iange surrounding each opening, closures for said openings each having an annular flange opposing the iiange of the casing and adapted to be secured thereto, a diaphragm seated over each opening by said closures, said casing constituting a sound chamber common to both diaphragms, and having a sound outlet, a rotor arranged in said casing, and an impact element carried by said rotor and adapted to vibrate said diaphragms.

5. In a warning signal, a casing having a diaphragm at each end and having a lateral opening intermediate its ends, an amplifier mounted in said opening, said casing constituting a sound chamber common to both diaphragms and to said amplifier, and means for flexing both diaphragms.

6. In a warning signal of the class described, a casing having a diaphragm, a rotor in said casing, striking mechanism mounted on said rotor and adapted to operate said diaphragm, an attaching standard secured to said casing and comprising stampings having portions of opposed cylindricity defining an axial socket, and rotor revolving means operating in said socket.

7 In a warning signal of the class described, a casing having a diaphragm, a rotor in said casing, striking mechanism mounted on said rotor and adapted to oper'- ate said diaphragm, an attaching standard secured to said casing and comprising duplicate stampings having pressed-out portions of opposed cylindricity delining an axial socket, a bushing fixed in said socket, and a Copies of this patent may be obtained for rotor-revolving means operating in. said bushing.

8. A rotor element comprising a carrier, a pair of opposed yokes secured thereto, a bushing having a groove receiving the free ends of said yokes, a rotor revolving member operating in said bushing, and impact elements guided upon said carrier.

9. A rotor element comprising a carrier, a pair of opposed U-shaped yokes secured to the under tace of said carrier, a bushing extending axially o said rotor and having a groove receiving the free ends of said yokes, a rotor revolving member operating in said bushing, and impact elements mounted upon said carrier.

10. In a warning signal having a diaphragm element, consisting of a pair of superposed disks fastened to rotate in unison, means spacing said disks, one of said disks having peripheral slots providing a circumferential series of spaced lugs disposed in the plane of the said disk and the material of said disk bent upwardly on each side of said lugs to provide stop portions, and impact elements for Hexing said diaphragm mounted in radial assembly between said spaced disks and maintained in said assembly by said spacing means and adapted for sliding travel upon said lugs and limited in said travel in one direction only by said stop portions.

11. In a Warning signal having a diaphragm element, consisting of a pair of superposed carriers fastened to rotate in unison, means spacing said carriers, and a series of slidable impact elements for flexing said diaphragm arranged in radial assembly about said spacing means as a center and limited in their inward travel only thereby.

12. In a Warning signal having a diaphragm element consisting of a pair of superposed disks fastened to rotate in unison, a washer spacing said disks, and a series of slidable impact elements for ilexing said diaphragm arranged and maintained in radial assembly about the washer as a center, and limited in their inward travel only thereby.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH C. COULOMBE. Witnesses: Y,

JOSEPH A. LEGARE, JOHN C. MGKENNA.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

